3 Day Edinburgh, Loch Ness and Highlands by Train

Travel from London on a high speed Virgin train to Scotland’s capital Edinburgh. A fully guided coach tour takes you to the 900 year old Holyrood Palace to learn of the misfortune of Mary Queen of Scots.

See famous sites including Greyfriars Bobby, National Museum of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle where the Crown jewels of Scotland that are safely stored.

Visit the beautiful Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness where the most sightings of the Loch Ness Monster have been made and you can also enjoy a full free day in Edinburgh to explore many more attractions.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Edinburgh

Join your Tour Manager at London Euston for a beautiful, scenic journey from London to Edinburgh by high speed Virgin train. With on-board WiFi (charges apply) and a fully stocked shop, you can enjoy breakfast in England and lunch in Scotland.

On arrival in Edinburgh the day begins with a two hour fully guided coach tour. Discover the adventure and misfortune of Scotland’s tragic queen, Mary Queen of Scots, as we start our tour at Holyrood Palace. This 900 year old Palace was built on the orders of King David after an encounter with a mythical white Stag, and remains today as the official residence of the British monarchy in Scotland.

After a brief stop at the Palace it’s on to one of Edinburgh’s highest points in Holyrood Park before continuing our tour of the ‘Old Town’. The tour will include some of the city’s most famous landmarks including Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, Grassmarket, Greyfriars Bobby and the Elephant House coffee house where J.K.Rowling first penned Harry Potter.

We depart the Old Town and continue towards the Georgian New Town, home to some of the world’s most famous writers, scholars and inventors. The Scots have long been at the forefront of innovation and discovery from Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin to John Logie Baird’s invention of television; James Simpson and chloroform to Alexander Bell and the telephone. Where would we be today without Scottish scientists and inventors? In the fictional world many characters would not exist were it not for authors born and raised in Edinburgh’s New town including Harry Potter, Long John Silver, Jekyll and Hyde, Peter Pan and Sherlock Holmes.

After a guided drive through the elegant 18th century squares and terraces of the New Town we transfer you to your nearby accommodation, a chance to have a late lunch and visit some of the attractions or sites your guide will have talked about on the tour. Your tour manager will remain available to provide local information, help and advice.

Optional Ghosts and Ghouls evening tour – 8pm – A spine tingling evening with ghoulish tales of torture and witchcraft as you learn of Edinburgh’s ghostly past! The guided tour takes place in medieval closes and the haunted Blair Street Underground vaults. Included in the tour is a shot of Dewar’s super Scotch whisky to keep you warm on this chilling tour!!

Rest of the evening free to enjoy Edinburgh’s atmospheric old inns to sample some local ales and whisky, joined by the tour guide. A great opportunity for you to get to know some other fellow group members on the tour.

Day 2 - Edinburgh Freetime

Enjoy a full free day in Edinburgh to visit one of the many amazing attractions on offer. Time to explore the Royal Mile, visit the Castle, enter Holyrood Palace or one of the many free museums and galleries in the city or Loch Ness and Scottish Highlands.

Upgrade – £49 – Prepare to see some amazing scenery on this fully guided day trip, with entry included to the stunning Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness (see image on left). Leave city life behind as you head into a land of mountains, lakes (lochs), beauty, mystery and legend! Depart Edinburgh and travel along the Forth Valley towards Stirling, passing the famous battle site of Bannockburn (1314) and into William Wallace (Braveheart) country. See Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument, where the mighty hero defeated the English forces of King Edward I at Stirling Bridge in 1297.

Entering the Trossachs National Park we make our official entrance into the Highlands and the land of the outlaw Rob Roy. After crossing The Rannoch Moor, one of Europe’s most sparsely populated areas, we come across the ‘weeping’ Glen Coe. Brace yourselves for the treacherous tale of Highland rivalries, as the MacDonald clan were betrayed and brutally slaughtered by their bitter enemies, the Campbells.

After a stop for lunch with Scottish specialities Haggis or even Highland Whisky, we enter the Great Glen and follow the Caledonian Canal in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. The Great Glen is one of the most picturesque parts of the British Isles, filled with perfectly reflecting waters of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and the most famous of all, Loch Ness. We drive along the entire 23 miles (37km) of Loch Ness as your guide tells you tales of sightings and encounters of this elusive beast.

We stop at the widest point of Loch Ness for an hour to explore Urquhart Castle with entry included. A castle of history and mystery, and the place where the highest numbers of sightings of the Loch Ness Monster have been made.

From here you will have the option of taking a boat cruise on the Loch (entry extra, payable on the day), you will never get a better chance to Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster!

After the Castle we continue to our northernmost point at Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, before turning south past the site of the Battle of Culloden and journey through the Cairngorms and our return to Edinburgh.

Please note: because of the long distances this particular excursion entails (well over 500km a day), which may not make the best suited day tour for infants younger than 3 years of age.

Day 3 - Edinburgh Sightseeing

Join your tour manager for a morning walk up Calton Hill for views of the City of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.

From here you can see the 171 metre tower in honour of the great Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and his victories over Napoleon Bonaparte.

Next to the tower is the National Monument of Scotland which commemorates Scottish soldiers and sailors who died during the Napoleonic wars.

From here it is clear to see why many refer to Edinburgh as ‘the Athens of the North.’ From Calton Hill the tour manager will accompany you to Edinburgh Castle (entry extra), an impenetrable fortress which has stood overlooking the city for over 1000 years. Learn about the Scottish Monarchy, Scottish heroes such as William Wallace or Robert the Bruce and see the Crown jewels of Scotland.

OR Whisky Tasting upgrade – £22 – ( only adults over 18s) A transfer and tour of Glenkinchie whisky distillery, the closest to Edinburgh. After experiencing the detailed and highly skilled process of making a bottle of ‘Scotch’ you will have the chance to sample some of the whiskies made here.

If you select this day trip you will be dropped back in Edinburgh after the tour in time for the coach departure transfer to the train station. Our departure transfer coach will collect you from the accommodation at 13:30 for the transfer to Edinburgh Waverley station, train departing at 14:51 for the return journey to London Euston. Arrival time in Euston is shortly after 20:30pm.

Inclusions

The basic price includes 3-5 bedded ensuite accommodation but you can select an upgrade to single, twin or double.

If you do not select a upgrade you will automatically be placed in a room with customers of the same gender in Caravel Guest House.

These rooms are exceptionally good value for money with short walking distance to the city centre, especially for single travellers who do not want to pay for single room upgrades, and a great way to meet your fellow travellers.

Two hour professionally guided coach tour of Edinburgh on arrival, ending with drop off at city centre accommodation.

Traditional Scottish Guest house/hotel accommodation in 3-5 bedded rooms in central Edinburgh with breakfast. If you require a twin/double or single you MUST select an upgrade in the box.

Coach transfer on day 3 from accommodation to Edinburgh train station.

Services of Tour Manager for entire duration of the tour.

The typical group size on our 3 day weekend breaks to Edinburgh is 30-45 people. You will travel by luxury air-conditioned train in what will be an excellent, shared experience with one of our professional tour managers.

Accommodation

3 Star Upgrade – Ecosse International.

This is a traditional family run guest house, which offers fantastic service and a great location. All rooms have private bathrooms are decorated to a high standard. This guest house has a lounge and free wifi.

During peak season (Bank holidays, July and August), other accommodation of equivalent standard may also used, including university halls and quality hostels.

We also have 4 or 5 star accommodation options available on request, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide you with a price.

Departure Information

Cambridge Parkside (outside Police Station) 04.15am.

Ramsgate Train Station 04.00am.

Canterbury East Train Station 04.25am.

This tour normally ends by 20.30pm in London. If you are travelling onwards to Cambridge, Ramsgate or Canterbury, the final arrival time will vary, as the transfer service that we provide links in with our other tours.

The transfer service will be by private transport or rail.

Option to make your own travel arrangements to Edinburgh – Save £30 per person.

If you would like to make your own travel arrangements to Edinburgh but still join this tour, we offer a £30 per adult or child reduction.

If you would like to take up this option, please contact the office by email.

No passport or visa required – You do not need a passport or visa to travel to Scotland from England

On day 1 the train departs London Euston 06:43am arriving Edinburgh Waverley 12:22pm.

Reviews

This trip was really more than I expected. The driver is so nice; the city guide’s dress was typically as a Scottish guy. The hotel was very well located and everything was perfect. I hope to see everybody again. Thanks, Aline Lazzarotto, from Brazil – Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands.

FAQ’s

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included on all overnight tours. Lunches are not included, unless otherwise stated. Evening meals are included when stated on the tour itinerary. On tours of seven days or more, generally fifty percent of dinners are included. Please check the itinerary page for exact details.

Where does the trip depart from?

Each UK trip will have a dedicated pick up point in central London. Shorter duration trips will normally depart from Victoria Coach Station, with longer duration trips leaving from the London Reception Centre, near to Waterloo train station. Departure points will be confirmed before booking a tour.

Can I get picked up from my hotel?

Pick up from hotels is not possible. You will need to make your own way to the departure point. However some tours do have a designated hotel departure, which you can stay in prior to the trip. Please ask at time of booking for departure points and we can direct you to local hotels.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included where specified on the itinerary.

Can I pay in dollars?

All tours are quoted and charged in pounds sterling, but you can pay using your local card and currency. We will debit the card in pounds sterling and your bank will use their exchange rate at that time to deduct the amount in your local currency.

What time does the trip leave and return?

Departure times will vary depending on the itinerary. European tours departing from London will usually leave between 05.00am and 07.00am. Multi day UK tours will leave between 06.00am and 07:30am. Day trips will depart between 07.00am and 09.00am. European and worldwide tours that start in an overseas city will have a welcome reception on day one of the tour which is usually around 18.00pm.

Return times vary depending on the itinerary. All the full day coach tours should be finished by no later than 19.00pm, traffic permitting. The train tours return between 20.00pm and 22.00pm. Longer duration trips will return between 16.00pm and 19.00pm. All times will be confirmed at time of booking.

Is this a definite/guaranteed departure?

A definite departure is guaranteed to operate for that given departure date. A trip that is not yet designated a definite departure is not yet guaranteed to operate based on current booking numbers. If a trip and departure date you are interested in is not yet definite, do not let this discourage you from booking. The more paid passengers received, the odds of the trip operating increase. In the slim case that the operator withdraw a trip you are booked on due to a lack of numbers, you are entitled to a full refund of any funds already paid towards the tour, or if flexible with your time, we can move you onto another departure.

Who travels on these tours, who else is booked?

Whilst we can not confirm exactly who else is booked on a tour, we can guarantee you will be travelling with fellow liked minded travelers who share a passion for travel, fun, adventure and discovery. All tours will be run by English speaking guides and age ranges will vary. The beauty of taking a guided holiday is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

Are transfers included from the airport?

In general, if you are joining or departing your guided holiday on the first or last day, return transfers between the airport and hotel are included (excludes itineraries starting and/or ending in London). You’ll find specific information on the itinerary’s page.

What optional excursions can I do and can I book them now?

Optional experiences are available on some tours. These are activities that are not automatically included, but offered during your trip to enhance your travel experience. These are all bookable whilst on the tour via your tour guide/travel director. These are payable by cash or card.

Our Most Popular Essentials

There are so many and we cater for everyone so it may be a case of a leisurely out of London trip to Stonehenge or you may want the buzz and excitement of a theatre tour of London – all the glitz and glamour is there. Out of London, we offer all sorts of adventures: Roman Baths, Shakespeare country, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton – you name it. Same with London – we don’t just do the round London tours – we can take you to Kew Gardens or we can take you on an expedition on the roof of the O2 Dome to the platform at the top offering spectacular views.

So we offer Out of London, Around London, Theatre and Hotels and then there are the spectacular Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day tours – what a way to celebrate the fun season.